There are a number of issues to consider when replacing Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court, but the opportunity to diversify the bench by appointing a Latino is particularly compelling. Never in its 220-year history has a Latino sat on that bench. (more…)

A Pew Hispanic Center report reveals that a majority of Hispanic children are now the U.S.-born children of immigrants, primarily Mexicans who came to this country in an immigration wave that started around 1980. (more…)

Since the nomination of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, the White House has been working overtime to retell the 54-year old’s personal story as well as her legal and academic accomplishments.

In the wake of conservative pushback, administration officials acknowledge the need to control the Sotomayor narrative. Rush Limbaugh and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich have attempted to portray the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals judge as a “reverse racist” and “judicial activist” whose goal is to make policy on the bench. Gingrich twittered a reference to Sotomayor’s 2001 statement that a judge’s sex and ethnicity “may and will make a difference in our judging.” (more…)

Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Linda Chavez-Thompson and Hispanic Caucus Chair Ramona Martinez issued the following statement after President Obama announced his nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Chavez-Thompson is a second-generation Mexican-American who worked in the labor movement for over 40 years, she is the Executive Vice President Emerita of the AFL-CIO. Ramona Martinez served for 16 years on the Denver City Council. She was the first Latina to serve as city council president. (more…)

Following yesterday’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, Latino groups have been rejoicing at the historic announcement. Cesar Perales, executive director of Latino Justice PRLDEF, a New York-based civil rights group says, “This is the most important Hispanic appointment that has been made in this country’s history. It is recognition that we are coming of age, that we can be one of nine wise people on the Supreme Court, making decisions that affect everyone in this country.” (more…)

This morning, President Barack Obama announced that he has tapped New York federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, making her the first Hispanic to hold such a position. This is the first nomination by a Democratic president in 15 years.

If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor, 54, will succeed retiring Justice David Souter. (more…)